Chicago Ideas Week tours Wintrust Arena

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Oct. 26, 2017

During Chicago Ideas Week 2017, DePaul hosted a Lab that gave participants a behind-the-scenes tour of Wintrust Arena led by the building's architects - from Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and Moody Nolan - and Bob Janis, vice president of Facilities Operations. Participants also heard from representatives from DePaul Athletics and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, watched part of a men's basketball practice, walked onto the basketball court and took shots on the new hoops. The tour was part of the week-long, city-wide series of events bringing thinkers and instigators together to share ideas and make an impact in the world.

DePaul hosted the Lab at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 19 as part of the university's sponsorship of Chicago Ideas Week, the annual festival of events that inspire, entertain and spark action. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)​

Renauld Mitchell, partner and director of operations in Chicago and Washington for Moody Nolan, told attendees about how the arena was designed and constructed. He was joined by Troy Sherrard (right) from Moody Nolan. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)​

DePaul basketball players, Pantelis Xidias, bottom left, and Joe Hanel, top left, greet attendees. The tour was part of Chicago Ideas week 2017, a week-long, city-wide series of events intended to bring a broad spectrum of thinkers and instigators together to share ideas and make an impact in the world. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)​

The new Wintrust Arena opened to the public Oct. 14 and is a state-of-the-art entertainment center in Chicago's South Loop. The arena is the newest home to DePaul University men's and women's basketballs teams, as well as Chicago's WNBA team, the Chicago Sky. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)​